Soups
Chestnut and Pig's Trotter Soup
Chestnut and Pig's Trotter Soup is a classic nourishing soup for autumn and winter wellness, made with pig's trotters and Chinese chestnuts as the main ingredients, slowly simmered to perfection. Pig's trotter is neutral in nature, sweet and salty in taste, and channels to the Stomach meridian. It is known for tonifying weakness and replenishing kidney essence. The Suixiju Diet Spectrum records that it "replenishes kidney essence and strengthens the lower back and feet, nourishes stomach fluids to smooth the skin, builds muscle, and promotes blood circulation to enrich breast milk". Chestnuts are sweet and astringent, neutral in nature, and channel to the Spleen and Stomach meridians. They are known for benefiting qi, strengthening the spleen, and tonifying the kidneys. The Compendium of Materia Medica also documents their effectiveness in treating cold-related diarrhea. Together, they create a rich, creamy soup with tender, gelatinous trotters and sweet, powdery chestnuts. This soup is renowned for tonifying qi and blood, strengthening bones and muscles, fortifying the spleen and stomach, nourishing yin and moisturizing dryness, and beautifying the skin. It is especially ideal for winter nourishment, postpartum recovery, and those experiencing fatigue or sore lower back and knees.
Main Ingredients
- Pig's trotters (front trotters preferred) 500-600g (approx. 1 piece)
- Chestnut kernels (shelled and peeled) 150-200g (approx. 15-20 pieces)
- Fresh ginger 3-5 slices
- Red dates (pitted) 5-8 pieces
- Goji berries 10g
- Cooking wine 2 tbsp (approx. 15ml)
- Salt To taste
- White pepper powder A pinch
- Water Approx. 2000-2500ml
Steps
Ask the butcher to chop the pig's trotters into approximately 4-5 cm pieces. Rinse thoroughly under running water. Fill a pot with sufficient cold water, add the pig's trotters, 2-3 slices of ginger, and 1 tablespoon of cooking wine. Bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, continue for 3-5 minutes, skimming off any foam that rises to the surface. Remove the trotters, rinse with warm water to remove any remaining impurities and foam, and drain well.
Wash raw chestnuts and score a cross on each shell with a knife. Bring water to a boil, add chestnuts, and cook for 5 minutes. Remove and peel off the shells and inner skins while still hot (the thermal expansion makes peeling easier). If using pre-peeled chestnut kernels, simply rinse and set aside.
Rinse and pit the red dates; slice the ginger; soak goji berries briefly in water and drain.
Place the blanched pig's trotters, prepared chestnut kernels, ginger slices, and red dates into a clay pot or stewing pot. Add enough water to cover all ingredients by about 3-4 cm (approximately 2000-2500ml), and add the remaining cooking wine.
Clay pot method: Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat and simmer for 1.5-2 hours until the trotters are tender and the chestnuts are soft and powdery. Double-boiling method: Place all ingredients in a stewing container and steam for 2-3 hours. This method yields a clearer broth and better preserves the original flavors.
When the trotters can be easily pierced with a chopstick, add the goji berries and continue cooking for 5-8 minutes. Season with salt and a pinch of white pepper to taste before serving.
TCM Notes
Pig's trotters are rich in collagen, which converts to gelatin during cooking, effectively improving physiological function and the water-retention capacity of skin cells. Absorbed collagen promotes skin cell hydration and prevents dryness and wrinkles. Pig's trotters also contain vitamins A, D, E, K, and trace minerals including calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and iron. Nutritional Value of Chestnuts: Chestnuts are rich in carbohydrates (40% starch), protein (4%-5%), dietary fiber, vitamin A, carotene, B-complex vitamins, vitamin C, and minerals including potassium, magnesium, copper, and zinc. Their vitamin C content can be twice that of tomatoes. Chestnuts are also rich in carotenoids with significant antioxidant properties. Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective: Pig's trotters: Sweet and salty, neutral, channeling to the Stomach meridian. Tonify weakness, replenish kidney essence, strengthen bones and muscles, benefit qi and blood, and moisten the skin. Chestnuts: Sweet and astringent, neutral, channeling to the Spleen, Stomach, and Kidney meridians. Benefit qi, strengthen the spleen, tonify the kidneys, and fortify the digestive system. Modern Health Benefits: Nutritional supplementation: The combination provides rich protein, collagen, vitamins, and minerals. Beauty and skincare: Collagen from trotters enhances skin elasticity; vitamin C from chestnuts provides antioxidant benefits. Bone and joint health: Calcium and phosphorus from trotters, along with vitamins and minerals from chestnuts, support bone strength. Postpartum recovery: Nourishes qi and blood, promotes lactation. Digestive health: Chestnuts strengthen the spleen and stomach, improving digestion. Sleep improvement: B-complex vitamins in chestnuts help regulate the nervous system.
Suitable for：Those with fatigue, weakness, or sore lower back and knees Postpartum women (promotes recovery and lactation) Middle-aged and older adults (bone health and osteoporosis prevention) Those with qi and blood deficiency (pale complexion, fatigue) Those with dry skin or seeking beauty and skincare benefits Those who feel cold easily, especially in autumn and winter Those with bronchitis or asthma Generally suitable for most people in moderation
Not suitable for：Diabetics: Chestnuts are high in sugar and may raise blood glucose levels; avoid or limit consumption Those with hyperlipidemia or hypertension: Pig's trotters are high in fat; consume in small amounts under medical guidance Those with poor digestion or spleen-stomach weakness: Should not overconsume to avoid gastrointestinal burden Infants under 2 years old: Digestive system not fully developed; not recommended Those allergic to chestnuts or pig's trotters Those with excessive damp-heat or unresolved external pathogens Those who are overweight should control portion sizes
